Liverpool have made a shaky start to their 2026/27 Premier League campaign. Their performances have varied considerably, with encouraging victories followed by frustrating draws and a heavy defeat against Manchester City. Nevertheless, the Reds remain close to the top of the group.
The uncertainty surrounding Liverpool is also reflected in title-race expectations and betting odds. Although pre-match odds and in-play sports betting prices may still recognise their potential, Manchester City, Arsenal and an impressive Brighton side have established stronger early positions. Liverpool have enough quality to compete, but their performances suggest they are not yet operating at the same level.
Much of this inconsistency stems from the tactical changes Andoni Iraola introduced. Liverpool are playing faster, pressing more aggressively and taking greater risks in possession.
The approach has produced positive results, but it has also exposed defensive weaknesses. Finding a balance between attacking intensity and control may be their biggest challenge this season.
Liverpool's decision to replace Arne Slot with Iraola represented a significant change in football philosophy. Slot generally preferred patient possession, controlled passing and careful positioning. His Liverpool side could accelerate attacks when opportunities arose, but maintaining possession was key to managing matches.
Iraola has introduced a more direct approach, similar to the system that brought him success at Bournemouth.
Several tactical changes are particularly noticeable:
These changes make Liverpool more difficult to predict. However, they also increase the importance of positioning and communication.
When players move forward together, Liverpool can overwhelm opponents. When that coordination fails, it opens up significant defensive spaces.
One reason Iraola's approach has shown promise is that Liverpool possess several players with the physical and technical qualities needed to execute it.
Alexander Isak offers intelligent movement, acceleration and composed finishing. His ability to attack space behind defenders makes him particularly valuable when Liverpool recover possession.
Bradley Barcola provides direct running from wide positions, while Victor Munoz offers another option for carrying the ball forward at speed.
Florian Wirtz contributes something different. Rather than relying primarily on pace, he spots passing opportunities and links midfield possession to attacking movement.
Dominik Szoboszlai is equally important because of his work rate and ability to cover large distances.
Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong can provide additional width and forward movement, but their attacking responsibilities create a tactical problem.
When both full-backs advance, Liverpool must protect the areas they leave behind. This requires midfielders to recognise potential counter-attacks before possession is lost.
Without that protection, even a well-organised attacking move can leave the central defenders exposed.
Liverpool's 2-1 win over Brentford on 17 October offered a useful example of the benefits and limits of Iraola's system.
The visitors struggled to establish control during the first half and fell behind when Keane Lewis-Potter scored shortly before the interval.
Brentford's pressing and direct attacking movements caused problems, particularly when Liverpool committed players forward without immediately recovering their defensive positions.
However, Yehor Yarmoliuk's red card in first-half stoppage time changed the contest. With an additional player, Liverpool increased their attacking pressure and eventually completed the comeback.
The equaliser demonstrated the value of combining intelligent passing with direct movement. Wirtz released Munoz on the right, allowing the winger to move inside and finish across goal in the 62nd minute.
Eight minutes later, Liverpool benefited from a different attacking pattern. Alexis Mac Allister delivered the ball into the penalty area, Barcola headed it down, and Isak finished from close range.
Both goals highlighted important qualities:
Nevertheless, Brentford still threatened after Liverpool took the lead.
That remains a concern. Playing against ten men should generally make it easier to control possession and limit counter-attacks, yet Liverpool kept allowing dangerous situations.
Iraola's pressing system depends on several players acting together. When an opposing defender receives possession, Liverpool's nearest attacker applies pressure while teammates attempt to block passing options.
The objective is to force mistakes or recover the ball close to the opposition's goal. Executed correctly, this produces attacking opportunities without requiring long periods of possession. Problems arise when opponents manage to play through the initial pressure.
Consider a situation where both Liverpool forwards press the opposition's central defenders. If the opposing goalkeeper finds a midfielder positioned behind that pressure, Liverpool may suddenly have several players ahead of the ball.
The opposition can then attack an exposed midfield and defensive line.
Three issues make these situations particularly dangerous:
The 3-0 home defeat against Manchester City demonstrated how costly defensive weaknesses can become against technically strong opponents.
Liverpool cannot simply abandon aggressive pressing. Instead, they need to become more selective about when and how they apply it.
A major difference between competitive teams and consistent title challengers is their ability to manage different periods of a match. Not every situation requires an immediate forward pass or another pressing attempt.
Sometimes, retaining possession is the best way to keep opponents from creating chances. Liverpool's recent performances suggest they are still adjusting to this responsibility.
The solution does not necessarily involve returning to Slot's methods. Iraola can preserve his attacking principles while introducing greater flexibility.
For example, Liverpool could reduce their pressing intensity after taking the lead, keep an additional midfielder behind the ball, or use longer passing sequences when opponents become increasingly dangerous.
These adjustments would not remove the team's attacking strengths.
They would help Liverpool choose the right moments to accelerate play rather than approaching every phase with similar intensity. That distinction could become especially important against teams capable of attacking quickly after recovering possession.
Liverpool's tactical development under Iraola should not be judged entirely by their opening results.
A significant managerial change naturally requires adaptation, particularly when the new approach demands different positioning, movement and defensive responsibilities.
Injuries have added further complications, limiting opportunities to establish consistent partnerships. Nevertheless, Liverpool cannot afford to overlook problems simply because their attacking football produces exciting moments.
Iraola's strongest side will be the one that recognizes when to press, when to attack directly, and when to maintain possession. Liverpool have the players to make this approach successful. Their main task is improving collective decision-making and defensive organisation.
Ultimately, unpredictability can help Liverpool create opportunities, but it cannot replace tactical discipline. If Iraola establishes greater control without sacrificing attacking intensity, the Reds will be better equipped to challenge the Premier League's leading teams and possibly even climb up the favourites leaderboard on the betting market.